Marching Orders Youngsters Learn About Police Work And The Military In A Weeklong Camp.

July 26, 1996|by RICK KLEIN, The Morning Call

Twelve-year-old Sandra Haller of Jim Thorpe signed up for Camp Cadet to show her big brother she could handle the 16-hour days and early morning physical training sessions.

By Tuesday, day three of the weeklong state police program held every summer at the Hazleton campus of Pennsylvania State University, Haller had begun to rethink her plan.

"It's OK so far. They're a little too tough," she said.

Her big brother, 14-year-old Jason Haller, said he's at camp because he finds the activities fun.

"It's really cool," he said. "I'm used to this kind of stuff. I like how they have control of everyone."

But he's not so sure his sister will last until tonight's graduation ceremony. "She's not going to make it," he joked.

The Hallers are among a group of 20 girls and 62 boys, ages 12 to 14, at camp this year. Registration fee for each camper is $20, but the actual cost to have each one there is $150. The camp is funded through donations and fund-raisers.

The camp serves youngsters from Carbon, Monroe, Columbia and lower Luzerne counties. Sandra said she was surprised at the strict conditions.

"I didn't think they would be that tough and picky," she said.

She was referring to that morning's room inspections, which showed the campers had some habits they could not shake.

"We just inspected your rooms ... More people failed than passed," barked state Trooper Jim Ford, a camp counselor. "Some of you people need to be toughened up."

The camp will likely achieve this goal if nothing else. Campers are put on a tight schedule and taught to march in an orderly fashion from place to place.

They learn to address all counselors as either "sir" or "ma'am" and are punished with push-ups for their indiscretions.

The camp gives youngsters the opportunity to experience law enforcement firsthand and to meet police officers in a more personal setting, according to Trooper Amy McLaughlin, camp director.

"It gives the kids the chance to live in the atmosphere of an actual state police training school," she said. "Now they see more of us than just when we pull mommy over for speeding."

Besides hours of daily physical activity, each day features several workshops for campers so they can learn about different areas of police work, government and the military.

Ford, more calm and friendly than during his room-inspection tirade, said the program is a change of pace for both the children and the counselors, most of whom are state troopers.

"I think the kids are enjoying it, and, hopefully, it's going to leave them with something they can keep for the rest of their lives," he said.

"It's just as good for us as it is for the kids. It gives us a break and it also gives them a break," he added. "Everyone gets something out of it."

Most campers agreed that although they can't graduate from the program without sweating, it is a productive way to spend a summer week.

"Almost everything about it is good," said 14-year-old Jason Miller of Jim Thorpe. "At first, the push-ups were a little annoying, but we learned all about the Army, the Secret Service and about different jobs."

"It's a lot of exercise and I like that," said Donny Eckhart, 12, of Kunkletown. "They're really strict, but not too mean."

Brian Koons, 12, of Palmerton came to camp because he wants to become a police officer. "Now I see what it's like," he said.

Like Brian, many other campers said they've at least thought about a career in law enforcement. But counselors said the camp is not just for future police officers.

"You come here to learn about how law enforcement works, not just to become a cop," Ford said. "You see a big difference (in their behavior) from the time they came here."